Increasing pressure to cut back on consumption of sugar and fat from health campaigners and pressure groups has had a minimal impact on the UK confectionery market, research from market intelligence providers Key Note has revealed.

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While the growth of the confectionery market has slowed, there has been a rise in penetration across all categories of the confectionery sector since 2001. In 2006, UK sales of confectionery were estimated at GBP4.41bn, reflecting a slowdown in growth of the market.


Chocolate confectionery accounts for 72.3% of sales in the market , with sugar products taking the remaining share. The majority of consumers, 56.7%, view chocolate as a harmless, affordable, everyday indulgence, Key Note’s report, entitled “Confectionery”, has revealed.


According to the report, consumers are more likely to buy single-serve products on impulse rather than multi-packs, with 64% of respondents stating that they prefer to buy on impulse and 47.7% saying that they often buy chocolate on impulse. 


Women are more likely to buy chocolate on impulse, while men are more likely to admit to regularly snacking on chocolate. 

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According to Key Note, although healthy eating trends have had a minimal impact on the confectionery market, a serious threat is posed by product innovation in other sectors, such as cakes and biscuits where sales of better-for-you products are on the march.


With 40% of respondents claiming to be concerned about reducing their fat and sugar intake, only a fraction of these consumers are cutting back on consumption, Key Note suggested.


Key Note anticipates that the confectionery market will see a relatively low level of growth to 2011, with health continuing to be high on the agenda across the market.


For more information, see the Confectionery report in just-food’s store: https://www.just-food.com/store/product.aspx?id=47654&lk=article